Variable-speed mechanism



March 10, 1953 F. D. DlcKAs VARIABLE*SPEED MECHANISM 7 Sheets-Sheet lFiled July 19, 1949 wm, H N Nn. Sm. L NN N NN QN m\ MM Nm WN ww .Q 5N MNNN w\ lll O O Q 5 /f N+1 Jlm F. D. DlcKAs 2,630,718

VARIABLE-SPEED MECHANISM 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 /ll/I;

I p. l

March 10, 1953 Filed July 19. 1949 f/// `NN Il.: w%\ l i* s \\w\\\ m W jiv'/ March 10, 1953 F. D. DlcKAs 2,530,718

VARIABLE-SPEED MECHANISM Filed July 19. 1949 7 sheets-sheet 4 March 10,1953 F. D. DlcKAs 2,630,718

VARIABLE-SPEED MECHANISM Filed July 19, 1949 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 inve/V57-March 10, 1953 F. D. DlcKAs VARIABLE-SPEED MECHANISM 7 Sheets-Sheet 6Filed July 19, 1949 March 10, 1953 lled July 19, 1949 Patented Mar. 10,1953 VARIABLEfsPEEn MECHANISM Frederick D. Dickas, Sidney, Ohio,assignor to The Sidney Machine Tool Company, Sidney, Ohio,

a corporation of Ohio Application July 19, 1949, Serial No. 105,475

16 Claims.

This invention relates to a variable speed mechanism and is designedmore particularly for use in lathes and other mechanisms where a widerange f speeds is desirable.

The main object of the invention is to provide a variable speedmechanism which may be quickly and accurately adjusted to provide in theoutput shaft any selected speed within a wide range of speeds.

A further object of the invention is to provide a variable speedmechanism in which a selected speed may be obtained by the manipulationof a minimum number of controlling elements.

A further object of the invention is to provide such a mechanism inwhich a series of clutches ,may be selectively shifted by a singlemovement of each of two controlling members. l

A further object of the invention is to provide such a mechanism inwhich an individually shiftable clutch divides the total range of speedsinto a high speed range and a low speed range, and any speed in eitherthe high range or the low range can be obtained by operating a selectingmember and an actuating member. p

A further object of the invention is to provide such a mechanism inwhich a series of clutches may be simultaneously shifted by a singleactuating device which is adjustable to determine the relation in whichthe clutches will be connected with Itheir respective gears.

Other objects of the invention may appear as the mechanism is describedin detail.

In the accompanying drawings Fig. 1` is a horizontal section through amechanism embodying the invention, slightly distorted to show theseveral shafts in a common horizontal plane; Fig. 2 is a section takenon the line 2-2 of Fig. l; 3 is a section taken on the line 3-3 of Fig.1; Fig. 4 is a section taken on the line 4`4 of Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is a topplan View of a part of the gear shifting elements; Fig. 6 is a face viewof lone of the actuating members; Fig. 7 is a section taken on the lineI-'I of Fig. 6; Fig. 8 is `a face view of the other of the actuatingmembers; Fig. 9 is a section taken on the line 9 5 of Figc;` Fig. 10 isa iront elevation of the selecting and oper* ating device; Fig. 11 is asection through a portion of the selecting and operating mechanism takenon line II-II on Fig. 10; Fig. 12 is a section taken on the line I2--I2Fig. 2; Fig. 13 is a plan View of the lever mechanism betweentheoperating rod and the actuating members; and Fig. 14 is a section takenon the line I4-I4 of iig. 13.

In these drawings I have illustrated one em- (Cl. 'Z4-337.5)

Vbodiment of the invention and have shown the same applied to a variablespeed mechanism of the type in which the gears are rotatably mounted onthe respective shafts and are selectively connected with the shafts byclutches, but it is to be understood ythat the gears may be connectedwith the shafts in any suitable manner and that the mechanism as awhole, as well as the several parts thereof may take various forms andmay be assembled in various ways without departing from the spirit ofthe invention.

In the embodiment here illustrated the invention comprises a supportingstructure I0 which is preferably a housing in which the major parts ofthe mechanism are enclosed. Mounted in this supporting structure are aplurality of shafts each having thereon a plurality of gears and aclutch or clutches for selectively connecting those gears with theshaft, the gears on each shaft meshing with other gears on an adjacentshaft.

` In the arrangement shown there are four parallel shafts each mountedin suitable bearings carried by the supporting structure and heldagainst axial movement. The input shaft II has rotatably mounted thereonthree gears I2, I3 and I4 and the gears I3 and I4 are rigidly connectedone with the other. A clutch I5 is mounted on a splined portion of theshaft I I between the gears I2 and I3 and is provided with the usualperipheral groove I6 to receive a shifting element by which the clutchmay be moved into driving engagement with either the gear I2 or the gearI3. The shaft I I may be rotated by any suitable sourceof power and ashere shown it is provided with a V-belt pulley I'I.

The shaft I8 has rotatably mounted thereon gears I9 and 20 which arerigidly connected one with the other 4and which mesh respectively withthe gears I2 and I3 on shaft II. A third gear 2I rotatably supported onthe shaft I3 meshes with the gear i4 on shaft II. A clutch 22 isslidably mounted on a splined portion of the shaft I8 for engagementwith either the gear 20 or the gear 2|. Also rotatably mounted on theshaft I8 are three gears 23, 24 and 25, a clutch 26 being slidablymounted on a splined portion of the shaft I8 for driving connection witheither of the gears 23 or 24 and the gear 25 being rigidly connectedwith the gear 24.

Rotatably mounted on the shaft 21 are two rigidly connected gears 28 and29 which mesh respectively with the gears 23 and 24 on shaft I8, and agear 3G which meshes with the gear 25 on the shaft I8. A clutch 3l isslidably mounted on a splined portion of the shaft 21 between gears 29and 3|] for driving connection with either of said gears. Rigidlymounted on the shaft 21 are two gears 32 and 33 which mesh respectivelywith gears 34 and 35 on the fourth shaft 36, which is the output shaft,and a clutch 31 is slidably mounted on a splined portion of the shaft 36between the gears 34 and 35 to drivingly connect either of said gearswith the shaft.

For the purpose. of -illustration the foregoing gears are shown asordinary spur gears, but they may be of any suitable type and inpractice they are usually herringbone gears.

As shown in the drawings the gears l2, |3,V 14, |9, 2li and 2| arearrangedin a group andby properly shifting the clutches ,IE5 and`22:these'ging ofthe clutches 26 and 3|. the powermaybe transmitted fromthetshaft 'IS to.' theshaft'21 at any one of fourspeeds. Inasmuch as,any one of .the `four speeds `transmitted from the shaft to the shaft 18may be transmittedfrom the shaft I8 to the shaft' 21l at -fourdifferent, speeds, it is apparent that the power may be transmitted fromshaft to shaft 21 at any one of sixteenspeeds. A Vthird group ofgears.includes the gears 32, 33,

f 34 and 35 and by manipulating the clutch 31. any

one of thespeedsat which'the shaft 21. rotates mayfbetransmitted to theoutput shaft. 36 at either of two yspeeds. Consequently. power maybetransmitted fromrthe .input shaft to the output shaft 35 atanyone ofthirty-two speeds.

' Each 'of theclutches it; '22, 26, (Handv '31 is provided with theusual peripheralgroove to receive a shifting element.

' It will be noted' that. the clutch4 3|,.,is located at the centerofthe `speed range and' divides the .total range into a high `speedrange and a low speed range. Separate'means are providedfor'se-.lectively shifting the clutches andV preferably the Vclutch 3 whichdivides .the speed range into two parts, is individually shifted. HInthe present instance theremaining clutches, l5, 22, 26 and 21,

are shifted simultaneouslyby asingle actuating device which isadjustable todeterminethedirection in which each of these clutchesis.moved.

`As shown in'Figs. 3 and 5 the clutches 15;,"22 and 2B are provided withseparateshifting elements, here shown. asv levers. 33, 35and'iipivotally mounted'betweenstheir ends onstuds 11H42 and l43.mounted a supporting memberor plate 44 rigidly mounted within the,housing. Eachof the levers 33, 39 and 4|) is provided withY a yoke45 "i`which embraces the corresponding clutch and is provided withpivotedshoes 45 'which extendinto vthe peripheral groove of' thatclutch, `as shovvnin Fig. 3 in connection with clutch 25. Each of theshifting levers is provided at its other end with a downturned endportion, 38a, 38a and 40a arranged substantially in a common'plane. -Theshifting element' for' theclutch31, Fig; 4, comprises a yoke "41 havingpivoted shoes 48 which extend into theperipheral groove ofl the clutch i31. The yokeflT is rigidly-secured `to a slidable shaft' 49,:as bypinning the samev thereto," and rigidly'isecured to'thisA .shaft isvan..arm"50,` Fig. 3, the free end of which is arranged in substantiallythe same plane with the-downturned ends of the shifting levers 38,39 and55.

The shiftingelement lfor the ldividing clutch 3| comprises a=yoke 5|,Fig; 2, provided'with pivoted-shoes52 mounted-in 'the groove of theclutch 3|, the yoke Ybeing carried' byvan arm-53 `thel front walltfofthe. housing.

memberfisconnected with the shaft 54 to impart rocking movement theretoand thus shift the di- ',:viding clutch 3| into either a high or a lowrange position. In the arrangement shown an eccen- Vtric'collar'lll isrigidly secured to the inner end of-.f-thertubular-shaft 58 and a yoke6| rigidly :secured tofltheshaft 5|! has its arms arranged onoppOSitesides of and in contact with the eccen- `tric collar 6D.. Theeccentric collar is so arranged 'that when thev annular member 51 isrotated in Oriel-direction to one limit of its movement the clutch 3|will be shifted in one direction and when the annular member is rotatedtotheother -limitof itsmovementthe clutch 3| will be shifted in theoppositedire'ction. Itwill thusbe apparent that the shiftingof thedividing clutch3| is effected independently ofthe shifting of the otherclutches. ...The .annular member 51 of. theadjusting. deviceis providedwith. handles 62.(Fig. 10)

l .by means `of whichit maybe rotated and itcarries on its face a dial63 having thereon thirtyfour graduations, two .diametrically .opposite.graduations beingnumbered zero to indicate the neutral, positions ofthe transmission. Theremaining graduations are provided with numbersindicative vof thev differentspeedswhich may be obtained by themechanism.

Releasable meansare provided by retaining the annular member`51 infthepositionto which it has been moved. Asshown in Fig. l1 this meanscomprises .a lockingpin ,or plunger |54 slidably mounted in a Vbore inthe wall of. the housing l0 and-having an end portion G5, preferablyreducing diameter, .adapted to vextend into a locking recess |06 in theinner face ,of th-e annularY member 51, therecess being preferablyprovided with alhardened bushing |01. Y A push rod lill is slidablysupp-orted in asecond bore inthe wall of the housing and is connected atits inner end with the inner end of the plunger |04 by a rigidconnecting, member |02. Therod |5| has an enlarged outer end portionwhich projects beyond the Wall of thehousing I0 and this rod is urgedoutwardly by. aspring` .|33 supported in the second bore and engagingthe enlarged end of. the

rod. YThus the action of the spring IQ Ymoves the plunger |04 into therecess in the annular memloer,v whenthelatter.is-inline therewith, andretains .the same in the recess. The end of the -push-rodpwhichconstitutes. a pushbutton, is so supported with ,relation to theannular. member 51 thatwhen thatmember is in either of itsneutralpositions the push buttons will be adjacent oneorthe otherof thehandleslwhere it may `beeasily engaged bythe hand of the operatorandfactuatedto retract the plunger and release the annular-member forrotation.

...An adjustable: actuating. device is provided to actuatethe clutchshifting elements 38,39, 4|) and SUandpreferably comprises two membersand -wlf1icharespacedl apart to receive between them the. endportionslofI these shifting elements. The two members f (Figs. lA and 6to 9) are provided withcooperatingparts to engage and actuatetheseveralishifting elements and are adjustable to move selectedcooperating parts into operative 'relationf with. the clutch shiftingvelements.

In the construction shown each of the actuating members 64 and 65 isprovided on that face which is opposed to the other member with aplurality of projections 66 and has formed therein a plurality ofcavities 61, each projection of each member being in line with a cavityin the other member. The two members are adjustable in their respectiveplanes to locate the several projections and cavities in differentpositions `with relation to the several clutch shifting elements and arethen movable transversely to their planes to cause the projections toengage and actuate the respective shifting elements. Preferably eachshifting element is provided adjacent the end thereof with a pin 68(Figs. 3 and 5) rigidly secured thereto and projecting beyond both sidesthereof. When the two members of the actuating device are in any oftheir rotatively adjusted positions each pin 68 will lie between aprojection on one of the actuating members and a cavity in the otheractuating member and when the actuating members are moved one toward theother the projection will engage the adjacent end of said pin and impartoperative movement to the shifting element which carries that pin, theother end of the pin entering the cavity in the other of said actuatingmembers. The ends of the shifting elements are spaced differentdistances from the edge portions of the actuating members, thus enablingthe actuating device to be adjusted to bring selected projections intoline with the pins of the respective shifting elements. A part of the`pins may be engaged by a projection or projections on one of saidactuating members and moved in one direction andanother part of saidpins may be engaged by a projection or projections on the other of saidactuatingmembers and moved in the opposite direction. Preferably meansare provided for yieldably retaining the shifting elements in theiradjusted positions, such as a spring detent 69.

The actuating device may be supported and selectively operated in anysuitable manner. .As best shown in Fig. 1 a shaft 18 is mounted for bothrotary movement and sliding movement in bearings 1| and 12 carried bythe supporting structure. The member 64 is rigidly secured to the shaft18 for both rotary movement and axial movement therewith. The member 65is slidably `mounted on a splined portion 13 of the shaft so that itwill rotate therewith and will be movable axially thereof. The actuatingmember 65 is provided with a grooved hub 14 and a grooved collar 15 isrigidly connected With the shaft to enable the actuating members to bemoved axially one toward the other as will be hereinafter described. Theshaft 10 is rotated by a selecting member 16 (Fig. 2) which ispreferably tubular in form and extends through and is rotatable in thetubular `member or shaft 58 and will be herein referred to as theselector sleeve. Rigidly secured to and preferably formed intergral withthe outer end of the sleeve is a head 11 which lies within the annularmember 51 and is provided with a pointer 18 to move over the dial 63 todesignate thereon the output speed which will be obtained when `theselecting element is in any selected rotative position. The inner end ofthe sleeve 16 extends beyond the end of the tubular shaft 58 and hasrigidly secured thereto a spiral gear 19 which meshes with a spiral gear8|] on the shaft 10 of the actuating device. Thus the rotation of theselecting member 16 will rotate the. actuating members in unison to aposition with relation to vthe shifting elements determined by theposition of the pointer 18 on the dial.

Operative movement is imparted to the actuating device by moving the twoactuating members one toward the other and in the present instance bothmembers are moved axially. This axial movement of the actuating membersis effected by an operating member 8| here shown as a rod which extendsthrough and beyond the ends of the selector sleeve 16 and islongitudinally movable therein. Rigidly secured to the inner end of theoperating member is a cross head 82 (Figs. 13 and 14) the ends of whichare arranged to engage levers 83 and 84 rigidly secured respectively toVthe lower ends of two upright shafts 85 and 85 tion, these directionsbeing such that the actuating members are moved toward each other whenthe operating rod is moved outwardly and away from each other when thatrod is moved inwardly.

Preferably two of the projections, one on each plate, are approximatelyone-half the height of the other projections and are arranged in lineone with the other, as shown at `|5161. and 6112 in Figs. 8 and 6. Theseshort projections are so `positioned that when the selecting member 16is in a zero position they will be in line with the pin 68 in the arm 58(Fig. 3) of the shifting element for the clutch 31 and When theactuating plates are moved one toward the other, one or the other ofthese short projections will engage the pin 68 and move the same to anintermediate position so as to shift the clutch 31 to a neutral posie4tion and thus prevent the transmission of power to the output shaft 36.

The selecting and operating devices may be operated in any suitablemanner but preferably a single device is provided for that purpose. Asshown in Fig. 2 a handle 88 is mounted on a pivot pin 9| in a lug 92carried by the head 11 of the selector sleeve; This pivotal connectionis such that the lateral movement of the handle, that is about the axisof the selector sleeve on which it is mounted, will rotate the selectorsleeve inone direction or the other depending', of course, upon thedirection in which the handle is moved. This handle is preferablyprovided with a cup shaped portion 93 which extends about the lug 92 andthe outer end of the operating rod 8|, and a cross pin 94 mounted in theside walls of the cup extends through a slot 95 in the projecting end ofthe operating rod so that the movement of the handle about its pivotalaxis 9| will impart longitudinal movement to the operating rod.

It will be apparent, therefore, that to select any one of the thirty-twospeeds of which the mechanism is capable a maximum of three movements isrequired. If the dividing clutch 3| is not al l"ready set for the speedrange within which the desired 'speed is located, the annular element'.51 and its dial 63 are rotated through an arc of 180 degrees. Thehandle 98 is then rotated about the axis of the selecting element toposition the pointer on the latter at the graduation on the dial whichcorresponds to the-desired speed,` and theirhandle 'is thenmovedalioutwardly itorimpart outward movementtoitheroperatingzarod,andthus impart operative movement` tothe.actuating -deivice. Obviouslythese movements fcanbe very quickly andeasilyeifectedwith absoluteaccuracy because Vit is only: necessarythatthe,.pointeron the `selecting element shall be correctly positionedwith relation to the dial.

While I have shown and described oneembodiment of my invention I wish itto. beunderstood that I do not desire Yto belimited to. the. detailsthereof as various modifications .may. occur toa person skilled intheart.

` I claim: c

l... In a variable speed mechanism comprising a plurality of shafts,gears movably mounted. @on the respective shafts, and means includingshift- `ing velements for, Adrivingly connecting selected gears indiiferent sequencesgan actuatingidevice for selectively operating aplurality of` said shifting elements, including` two vopposed `memberseach'havingon that side .thereof which faces .the other member aplurality. of .projections-and' a plurality of cavities arrangedinpredetermined relative positions, each projection on each member beingin line with a cavity inthe other -member, said members being spacedapart to receive between them portions of said shifting elements, saidmembers being rotatable about acommon axis to adjust the same withrelation to said shifting elements and being movable axiallyone towardthe other to actuate said shifting elements, a selecting device forrotating said members, a device for imparting axial movement to saidmembers, and a single operating member connected with both of saiddevices and movable in one direction to actuateJ said selected devicesand movable in another direction to impart axial movement to saidmembers.

2. In a variable speed mechanismv vcomprising a plurality ofshafts'gears movably mountedon the respective shafts, and meansincluding shifting elements for drivingly connecting selected gears indifferent sequences; an actuating device for selectively operating aplurality of said shifti i ing elements, including `two opposed memberseach having on that side thereof which faces the other member aplurality of projections and a plurality of cavitiesarranged inpredetermined relative positions, each projection on each member beingin line with a cavityin the other member, said members being spacedapart to .receive between them portions of said shifting elements, saidmembers being rotatable aboutca common axis to adjust the samek withrelation` to. said shifting elements andbeingmovable axially one towardthe otherV to `actuate said shifting elements, and a selecting andoperating device for said members including a rotatable tubularselecting member, means actuated by said selecting member for rotatingthe rst mentioned members, an operating member slidable in said tubularmember, and means actuated by said operating member for impartingrelative axial movements to said first mentioned members.

3. In a variable speed mechanism` comprising a pluralityl of shafts,gears movablyY mountedon the respective shafts, and meansy includingshifting elements for drivinglyconnecting selected gears in differentsequences; an actuating device for selectively operating a plurality ofsaid shifting elements, including two opposed members each having onthat side thereofV which faces the other member a plurality ofprojections and a plurality ofcavities arranged in 4predeterminedrelativezpositionsseach;projection' onfeach member being-inline-withacavity in the other-member, saidmembers being spaced apart :toreceive betweenthem portions of saidshifting elements, said membersbeing: rotatable about a common :axis to adjust the lsame with. relationto said vshiftingjelements and: being movable .axially one toward theother. to actuate'said shifting elements,

members including" a; rotatable tubular selectmembenymeans actuated bysaid operating member for imparting relativeaxial movements to. saidfirst mentioned members, and a single handle connected with both saidselectingmember and'said operating rmemberxfor successivelyactuatingxthe Same.

4. -Ina variable speedzmechanism, a plurality of shafts, a plurality 'ofgears `rotatably mounted on each shaft, each gear on each shaft; meshingwith a gear on ,anf adjacent shaft, clutches-con said. shafts foryselectively connecting said; gears with the respective shafts, shiftingelements for the respective clutches, one `of said clutches beingarranged to divide the total speed range into a high speed range and avlowspeed range, means for individually-actuating the shifting elementfor said dividing clutch, an actuating deviceVV for .imparting-operative :movement-.to .the shifting elements for the remainderof saidclutches; said actuating device beingadjustable with.. relation .to4saidlast .mentioned shifting velements to.- select .the gears `requiredYto provide a given speed in `theiinalshaftof said-mechanism, speedselecting means, for. adjusting,saidactuating de- ,vic.e,.and means,for-operating said device to. ac-

tuate saidshifting elements in a mannendetermined Vby the adjustmentAthereof.

5. In a variable speed mechanism, al plurality of shafts, a plurality ofgears rotatably mounted on each shaft, each gear on .each shaft meshingwith a gear on anadjacent shaft, clutches on said shafts for selectivelyconnecting said gears with the respective shafts, shifting elements fortherespective clutches, one of said clutches being arranged todi'videthe total speed range into a high speed range and a low speed range, anactuating member mountedon a Xed support for movement to either of twopositions and having thereon a series of speed-indicating graduations,means controlled by said movement 'of said actuating member to move theshifting elementfor saidV` dividing clutch toa position determined bythe-position to which said actuating member-is movedy an actuatingvdevice including two members spaced apart to receive between themportions of the vshifting elements for the remainder-ofsaidclutchesysaid spaced members.` having cooperating parts to actuateAsaid shifting elements and being rotatable to selected positionswith`relationto said portions of Said shifting elements, said spacedactuating lmembers being axially movableto actuate said shiftingelements, a selecting member movably mounted on saidxed. support andhaving an indicating elementimovable along. they graduations ,on saidactuating member, means Acontrolled by said selecting member forrotatingsaidspaced actuating members to selected positions, a third membermovably mounted on said fixed support, and means operatedA by said.third member for imparting axial movements to said spacedactuating-members 6. In a variable speed mechanism, a plurality ofshafts, a plurality of gears rotatably mounted on each shaft, each gearon each shaft meshing with a gear on an adjacent shaft, clutches on saidshafts for selectively connecting said gears with the respective shafts,shifting elements for the respective clutches, one of said clutchesbeing arranged to divide the total speed range into a high speed rangeand a low speed range, an actuating device including two opposed membersspaced one from the other to receive between them portions of each of aplurality of said clutch shifting elements and having cooperating partsto engage and actuate said shifting elements, means for supporting saidmembers for rotation to selected positions with relation to saidplurality of shifting elements and for axial movement to actuatethelatter, a selecting and operating unit mounted on a fixed support andcomprising an annular member rotatable to either of two positions andhaving thereon a series of speed indicating graduations, means operableby said annular member for actuating the shifting element for saiddividing clutch, a rotatable tubular selecting member extending throughsaid annular member and having a pointer movable along said series ofgraduations, means operable by the rotation of said selecting member torotate said spaced actuating members, an elongate member slidablysupported in said tubular selecting member, and means operable by saidelongate member to impart axial movement to said spaced actuatingmembers.

7. In a variable speed mechanism, a plurality of shafts, a plurality ofgears rotatably mounted on each shaft, each gear on each shaft meshingwith a gear on an adjacent shaft, clutches on said shafts forselectively connecting said gears with the respective shafts, `shiftingelements for the respective clutches, a shaft extending transversely toa plurality of said shifting elements, opposed actuating members mountedon said shaft, spaced one from the other to receive between themportions of said plurality of shifting elements and having cooperatingparts t engage and actuate said shifting elements, said members beingconnected with said shaft for rotation therewith and for relative axialmovement, a tubular selecting member rotatably mounted in a fixedsupport, gearing connecting said selecting member with said transverseshaft to rotate said actuating members to selected positions withrelation to said shifting elements, an elongate member extending throughand slidable in said selecting member, means connected with saidelongate member and actuated by the sliding movement thereof to impartrelative axial movement to said opposed actuating members to actuatesaid shifting elements, and a handle mounted on said selecting elementto rotate the same and connected with said elongate member to impartlongitudinal movement thereto.

8. In a variable speed mechanism, a plurality of shafts, gears mountedon the respective shafts, clutches for connecting selected gearsindifferent sequences, shifting elements for actuating the respectiveclutches, one of said clutches being arranged to divide the total speedrange into a high speed range and a low speed range, means for actuatingthe shifting elements for the remainder of said clutches includingmembers spaced one from the other to receive between them portions ofsaid shifting elements and supported for rotary movement -about a commonax-is and for relative axial movement, each of said members havingelement engaging parts facing the other of said members and out ofalinement with the element engaging parts of said other member,selecting mechanism including a member connected with the shiftingelement for said dividing clutch to move said clutch to high speedposition or to low speed position, a member to rotate said actuatingmembers to selected positions with relation to said shifting elementsand a member to impart relative .axial movement to said actuatingmembers, and means for operating said selecting members.

9. In a variable speed mechanism, a plurality of shafts, gears mountedon the respective shafts, clutches for connecting selected gears indifferent sequences, one of said clutches being arranged to divide thetotal speed range into a high speed range and a low speed range, meansfor actuating the shifting elements for the remainder of said clutchesincluding members spaced one from the other to rec-eive between themportions of said shifting elements and supported for rotary movementabout a common axis and for relative axial movement, each of saidmembers having element engaging parts facing the other of said membersand out of alinement with the element engaging parts of said othermember, selecting mechanism including a member connected With theshifting element for said dividing clutch to move .said clutch to highspeed position or to low speed position, a member to rotate saidactuating members to selected positions with relation to said shiftingelements and a member to impart relative axial movement to saidactuating members, and a single operating member connected with saidselecting mem-bers to successively operate thesame.

10. In a variable speed mechanism, a plurality of shafts, gears mountedon the respective shafts, clutches for connecting selected gears indifferent sequences, shifting elements for actuating the respectiveclutch-es, one of said clutches being arranged to divide the total speedrange into a high speed range and a low speed rang-e, means foractuating the shifting elements for the remainder of said clutchesincluding members spaced one from the other to receive between themportions of said shifting elements and supported for rotary movementabout a common axis and for relative axial movement, each of saidmembers having element engaging parts facing the other of said membersand out of alinement with the element engaging parts of said othermember, selecting mechanism including a rotatable tubular memberconnected with the shifting element for said dividing clutch to move thelatterv to high speed position or to low speed position, a tubularmember rotatable in the first mentioned tubular member and connectedwith said actuating members to rotate the same to selected positi-onswith relation to said shifting elements, a member slidably supported inthe last mentioned tubular member, and means connected with saidslidable member for imparting relative axial movements to said actuatingmembers, and means for successively actuating said selecting members.

11. In a variable speed mechanism, a plurality of shafts, gears mountedon the respective shafts,

clutches for connecting selected gears in different sequences, shiifting elements for actuating the respective clutches, one of saidclutches being arranged to divide the total speed range into a highspeed range and a lo-w speed range, means for actuating the shiftingelements for the remainder of said clutches inclu-ding members spacedone from the other to receive between them portions of saidshiftingelements and. supported for rotary movement about-a ycommon axisand for relative axial movement, each of said, members having elementengaging parts facing the other of said members and out of alinementwith the element engaging parts of said other member, selectingmechanism including a rotatable tubular member connected With theshifting element for said dividing clutch to move the latter to highspeed position or to low speed position, a tubular member rotatable inthe rst mentioned tubular member and connected with said actuatingmembers to rotate the same to selected positions with relation to saidshifting elements, a member slidably supported in the last mentionedtubular member and means connected with said slidable member forimparting relative axial movements to said actuating members, and asingle operating device yconnected with each of said selecting membersto actuate the same.

l2.v iIn a variab'le speed mechanism comp-rising a .pluralityxof shafts,gears movably mounted on the lrespective shafts, means includingshifting elements for vdrivingly connecting ldifferent ,gears indifferent sequencesiselective means for actuatinga vplurality ofshifting `elements including a shaft supportedifor both' rotary andaxial movement, a, member rigidly lsecured torsaid shaft, a second:Vmember supported on said shaft for rotation therewith and for axialmovement with relaelement engaging parts facing the other member f andout vof alinement with the element engaging parts of said other member,meansfor rotating said shaft to move said member to selected positions vwith relation tosaid shifting elements, and

means for simultaneously vimparting axial movement to said shaft and tosaid second member in oppositeidirections to move said members into oroutk olf-operative engagement with said shifting.`

elements.

13; Ina variable speed mechanismicomprising Y.

a plurality of shafts, gears movably mounted on the vrespectiveishaftspmeans including shifting.

elements for drivingly connecting different gears indifferent sequences;selective means for. actu-` ating a :pluralitygof shifting elementsincluding. a shaft supported for both rotary and axial move-'- ment,.a..memb'er: rigidly secured. to said shaft, a secondmembersupportedonrsaid shaft for. rotation1therewith. and forV .axialmovementwithrela-A tion.. thereto,` .said vmembers .beingspaced .apart to receivebetween them portionsof said shiftingelements and each member having aplurality of element engaging lparts facing Vthe other member and out of.alinement with the element engaging Y.

parts of -said other member, a gear splined to said shaft, means foractuating said gear to rotate said members to selected positions .withrelation to said shifting elements,l means for imparting relative axialmovements to said membersincluding devices movable about laterallyspaced fixed axes,:. means for operativelyconnecting said devices` shaftsupported for both rotary and axial.move

12 ment,a fmember; rigidly securedto said shaftya second membersupported on said shaft for rota.- tion-therewith andfor axial movementwith relation thereto, said `members being spaced apart to receivebetween them portions Vof said shifting elements and each member havinga plurality of relative axial movements'to said members including-crankarms mounted for movement about laterally spacedaxes andy extending onetoward the other, means .operatively connecting said ,crank armsrespectively with said shaft and said second member, across-head-operatively connected with said crank arms, and means formoving said cross head transversely to the axes of 'said crank arms.

l5-In a variable-speed mechanism comprising i a-pluralityof shafts,gears movably mounted on the respectivev shafts, meansA includingshifting elementsvfor drivingly connecting different gears in differentsequences; selectivemeans for actuating a plurality of shifting'elementsincluding-a shaft supported for both rotary and axial movement,- aYmember rigidly secured to said shaft, a

second` member supported on said shaft for rotation therewith and foraxialmovement with relation thereto, said membersbeingspaced apart toreceive betweenthem portions of` said 'shiftingelements and each memberhaving a `plurality of element engaging parts facing the other memberand out of alinement with the element engaging partsof said othermember, a gear splined to said shaft, means foractuatingsaid gear torotate said members to selected Vpositions with relation to said'shiftingV elements, said -means including fa rotatable tubular member-5and means-for impartingrelative axial movements to-'said opposedmembersincluding-devices connected respectively.

with said-shaft and said'second member, andan elongate-member slidablysupported in saidtubular memberi-and-l operatively connected with saiddevices.

16; Ina variable spee'dfmechanisml comprising'-v a pluralityofshafts-gears movably mountedv onf the respective rvshafts, meansincluding shiftingelementsfor drivinglyconnecting diiferent gearsindifferent sequences; selective means -foractu-V I ating a pluralityofsh-ifting-elements including `av shaft 'supported forboth4` rotary-andaxial move-'- ment, a member/"rigidly secured-to said shaftar secondmember 'supportedon said-shaft for rota*- tiontherewith and for axialmovementwith relationthereto', saidmemb'ers'being spaced apart'toreceive" 'between' 'them portions" of'y said shifting elements and eachmember having' a plurality'of element 'engagirigpart's facing the' othermember and out of alinement with the element engaging parts of saidother member, a gear. splined tosaid shaft,".means 'for actuatingisaid'gear to rotate said members to' .selected positions .withi'relationf tosaid vshifting elements, said means including. a

rotatable tubular member, means for imparting.

relative axial movements to saidopposed members including devices.connected respectively. with said shaft and said second member,an-elongate mem ber slidably4 supported in'V said tubular member andoperatively connected with saiddevicesand an operating,member-connectedlwith said tubular memberand said elongate member and. movn able-in onedirectionto-rotate-said tubular meme 13 ber and in another direction toimpart longitudinal movement to said elongate member.

FREDERICK D. DICKAS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Gallimore Feb. 12, 1935 Number 10 Number Name DateLovely Oct. 6, 1936 Gallimore Feb. 1, 1938 Lange Oct. 12, 1943 LloydDec. 19, 1944 Randol Jan. `b, 1948 Le Blond Apr. 12, 1949 FOREIGNPATENTS Country Date Great Britain Sept. 19, 1940 France June 5, 1937

